Third suspect in Bay Area handyman beating turns self in

December 21, 2012, 12:43PM

12/21/2012

SAN JOSE — A third suspect accused of beating a Bay Area handyman who was allegedly forced to fix a dishwasher and other appliances under threat of his life has turned himself into authorities.

Santa Clara County Sheriff's Sgt. Jose Cardoza said Thursday that 49-year-old Richard Rodriguez, Jr. turned himself in at the Alameda Police Department Wednesday for the outstanding warrant for his arrest on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment.

Authorities say the 50-year-old handyman was held hostage at a Morgan Hill on Dec. 3, and notified police after he escaped.

Police later arrested 36-year-old Jason DeJesus and 33-year-old Chanelle Troedson, both of Morgan Hill, on similar criminal charges as well as kidnapping.

The attack followed a long dispute between the handyman and a relative of DeJesus' over payment for previous work.